Musician hits back at restauranteur

zohn · 2012-02-13T10:07:45+00:00

I got this as an e-mail and find it pretty funny and something some of us can relate to ? ? True story according to Tony Hyman: Restaurant ad: "We are a new casual restaurant in downtown Vancouver and we are looking for solo musicians to play in our restaurant to promote their work and sell their CD's. No pay will be involved.This is not a daily job, but only for special events which will eventually turn into a nightly event if we get positive audience response. More Jazz, Rock, & smooth type music, around the world and mixed cultural music. Are you interested to promote your work? Please reply back ASAP." A musician’s reaction: "Happy New Year! I am a musician with a big house looking for a restauranteur to come to my house to promote his/her restaurant by making dinner for me and my friends. No pay will be involved. This is not a daily job, but only for special events which will eventually turn into a nightly event if we get a positive response. More fine dining & exotic meals and mixed Ethnic Fusion cuisine. Are you interested to promote your restaurant? Please reply back ASAP."

costafonix

brilliant,,,
:roflmao:

singemonkey

Right on.

AlanRatcliffe

CostaFonix wrote brilliant,,,
:roflmao:

Brilliant indeed.

Jack-Flash-Jr

Unfortunately we've had the experience of playing at "the restaurant" for a reasonable fee only to have other bands come in and undercut for next free.
All's fair I suppose.

Riaan

That is so cool! Another one of those "wish I'd said that" things... :roflmao: :roflmao:

TomCat

Brilliant.. :roflmao: :roflmao:....but unfortunately that is the attitude of many establishments......They think they are doing you a huge favour....... ??? ???

Keira-WitherKay

yes ............ great post .......

just recently i was approached (as in they emailed me ) by an established restaurant who has regular live music and some biggish names......... saying they were interested to have me there BUT the principle they have is that i come and perform free on a sat night as thats how they audition all their artists.........and again played the exposure card ........ mmmmmmmmm i said cool i'll do 15 min set free and cover the travel expenses myself but only a 15 min audition "free if you like it pay me my rate for the night ..oh NO i heard it must be a whole show ........ so i guess thats how they get free entertainment every week .......... and obviously artists are falling for it

and of course a lot of open mic evenings are also a way to get free entertainment......i'm happy if the venue pays the organiser who will arrange and supply a PA then i'd play my set for free..but some venues just expect it all for free cos it's open mic........... i just heard this week that a famous open mic evening in jhb which ran successfully for years the venue NEVER paid the organiser... but they had full houses every week for ages........... scary

and of course a lot of these so called "battle of the bands' and songwriter competitions are another scam to secure live music often for weeks and then they offer a prize for the winner ........but get weeks of free entertainment with heats and semi finals and finals ect ...... and only spring for what one band woulda cost em ......... or even get sponsorships for prizes............ but it's basically free entertainment

so yes venues are sneaky if you not careful............. playing free for exposure is only worth it if you get TV coverage or get seen at a major festival other than that ........

be careful out there ............ we see our music and bands as art but to the venues it's just bussiness and if they can get you or your band for free they will........ so put a price on your talent , it often gets you more respect in the biz than being willing to just give it away